How Much Does Home Care Cost in Southern California?

In 2026, licensed, insured and bonded home care agencies in Southern California generally charge $32 to $45 per hour depending on hours and level of care. CareScout’s cost of care survey puts California’s median near $38 per hour, and 40 hours a week of care in the Los Angeles area runs around $6,400 a month at market rates. These are market figures, not our quote; your exact number comes from a free in-home assessment.

Around-the-clock care with awake caregivers in shifts typically runs near $27,000 a month in the Los Angeles area at 2026 market rates. Live-in care, where a caregiver resides in the home with sleep and break periods, is structured differently and usually costs meaningfully less. Which one fits depends on how much help the nights actually need, which is exactly what the assessment works out.

Most agencies set a minimum shift length, commonly around four hours, because a caregiver cannot reasonably travel for a one-hour visit. Schedules are flexible beyond that: a few mornings a week, full days, overnights, or any mix. Call (562) 448-3854 and we will tell you on the first call whether your schedule works.

No. Medicare covers doctor-prescribed home health care, which is clinical care from nurses and therapists, but it does not cover non-medical home care like ours. Some Medicare Advantage plans add limited in-home support benefits, so it is worth checking your specific plan. The routes that genuinely fund non-medical care are VA Aid and Attendance, long-term care insurance, and IHSS for those who qualify.

In-Home Supportive Services is a county program that pays for care hours for seniors who are eligible for Medi-Cal. Income and asset limits apply, the application takes time, and the hours granted rarely cover everything, but for families who qualify it meaningfully lowers the bill. We will give you an honest read on whether applying is worth it for your situation.

Because the agency rate carries everything an employer owes. Hire directly or through a registry and the family often becomes the employer under California law: workers compensation, employment practices insurance, paystubs, year-end payroll reporting, and CalSavers retirement enrollment depending on the number of caregivers. One injury in your home without workers compensation coverage can cost more than a year of agency care. The gap between the two hourly rates is mostly that risk, moved onto you.

Caregiver wages, training, insurance and overhead all differ. National franchise offices also carry royalty and marketing fees owed to the franchisor, which their pricing has to absorb. When you compare quotes, compare what the rate includes: who employs the caregiver, what happens when one calls in sick, and how often they are trained.

Yes. The in-home assessment is free and carries no obligation. We visit, look at how the day actually runs, and you get a written quote based on the hours and level of care your family needs. Families use it to compare us against other quotes, and we are comfortable with that.

No, and that is deliberate. The figures on this page are 2026 market ranges for Southern California, published so you know the landscape before you talk to anyone. Our exact pricing depends on your hours and level of care, and you get it in writing after the free assessment. We would rather show you the market honestly than hide the number until you are on the phone.